Repent of Unbelief

 “He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭147‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A Hallelujah psalm written to commemorate the rebuilding of the temple.  “He heals the wounds of every shattered heart. He sets His stars in place, calling them all by their names. How great is our God! There’s absolutely nothing His power cannot accomplish, and He has infinite understanding of everything.”  This is how the old covenant psalmist saw God, as One Who is great and Who heals the broken-hearted.  The God Who knows every precise movement of the stars in the universe, is our God Who loves us and redeemed us.  It is our unbelief that stops us from knowing God in His power.  Jesus said clearly, “The world's sin is unbelief in Me.”  Let’s fix our gaze on the simultaneous kindness and strict justice of God. How severely He treated those who fell into unbelief! Yet how tender and kind is His relationship with us. Let’s keep on trusting in His kindness; otherwise, we also will be cut off. Let us labour therefore to enter into the rest that Christ won for us through the Cross, and let’s repent of every form of unbelief.  Amen!

He Is El Elyon - God Most High

 “But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, “When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran to Him and threw himself down before Him, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Leave me alone, Jesus, Son of the Most High God! Swear in God’s name that You won’t torture me!” (For Jesus had already said to him, “Come out of that man, you demon spirit!”) Jesus said to him, “What is your name?” “Mob,” he answered. “They call me Mob because there are thousands of us in his body!” The demons always recognised Jesus as God’s Son.  God is the Most High as Melchizedek the priest of El Elyon blessed Abram, “He spoke over him a special blessing, saying, “Blessed is Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, whose power delivered your enemies into your hands!”  There is no one higher than our God. Knowing this the devil tried hard to get Jesus to worship him, ““All of these kingdoms I will give to You,” the accuser said, “if only You will kneel down before me and worship me.” But Jesus said, “Go away, satan! For the Scriptures say: Kneel before the Lord your God and worship only Him.” At once the accuser left Him, and angels suddenly gathered around Jesus to minister to Him. Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the Cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. He was not their prisoner; they were His!  Hallelujah!

Let the Church Do What the Lord Jesus Christ Does

 “The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: The LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: The LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; He relieveth the fatherless and widow: But the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭146‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is the first of the Hallelujah psalms and is attributed to the prophets Haggai and Zechariah at the dedication of the second temple after the return from exile, completing the last five psalms of the book of psalms in Scripture.  “You open the eyes of the blind, and You fully restore those bent over with shame. You love those who love and honor You. You watch over strangers and immigrants and support the fatherless and widows. But You subvert the plans of the ungodly.”  The Lord Jesus had spoken this at the synagogue, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”  This is the mandate to the Church today to fulfil what the Lord Jesus spoke then and take the help of the Holy Spirit for this.  Let’s do it.  Amen!

Revelations in Our Quiet Time with Christ

 “but when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬-‭34‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark wrote, “yet when it springs up and grows, it becomes the largest plant in the garden, with so many large spreading branches, even birds can nest in its shade.” Jesus used many parables such as these as He taught the people, and they learned according to their ability to understand. He never spoke to them without using parables, but would wait until He was alone with His  disciples to explain to them their meanings.”  This parable describes the growth of God’s Kingdom.  It may appear in the beginning as small and insignificant, but it will grow until it becomes the greatest Kingdom of all.  God’s Kingdom is growing on the earth and not diminishing.  God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, “Lord Yahweh says: “I will take the highest branch from a cedar tree. I will break off from the very top a tender shoot and plant it Myself on a high and lofty mountain. I will plant it on the highest mountain in Israel, where it will put out branches and bear fruit and grow into a stately cedar tree. Every kind of bird will find a home in it. Yes, in the shade of its branches the birds will make their nests. And all the trees of the field will know that I, Yahweh, Am the One Who brings the tall tree low and raises the low tree high, Who withers the green tree and makes the withered tree sprout again. I, Yahweh, have spoken.”  Jesus still delights to mystify those who follow Him, but He waits until we are alone with Him, and then He reveals the wonders of His grace and truth to our hearts.  Let’s spend time alone with our Lord Jesus to receive the mysteries of His Kingdom.  Amen!

His Mighty Power to Raise Christ from the Dead

 “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The LORD upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David wrote on the greatness of God, “You are the Lord who reigns over your never-ending kingdom through all the ages of time and eternity! You are faithful to fulfill every promise you’ve made. You manifest yourself as kindness in all you do. Weak and feeble ones you will sustain. Those bent over with burdens of shame you will lift up.”  David lived centuries before the Gospel of grace was revealed yet he had a personal revelation of the greatness of God’s grace because of his relationship with Him.  Even though David was king, he knew that it was God Who ruled Israel through him.  When he made mistakes and fell, David repented and turned to God Who picked him up and raised him.  David recognised that it was only the greatness of God Who raised him up from a shepherd boy to being the king of Israel.  In the new covenant, Paul explains the greatness of God, “I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted Him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm!”  May we never downgrade the greatness of God revealed to us believers through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen!

God’s Love Brings Purpose to Our Existence

 “and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: and Simon he surnamed Peter;”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, “and have authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons. He appointed his Twelve and gave Simon the nickname Peter the Rock.”  These twelve disciples served God’s Kingdom, became apostles or “sent ones” and the Jesus chose seventy more to preach the Gospel.  None of them were fully mature or equipped for the Holy Spirit had not yet come to empower them.  Disciples are raised that they may walk continuously with Jesus; preaching with the genuine love for others preaching the truth of God’s Word and walking in the power to heal and cast out demons.  Today, this is the same that the Lord Jesus requires from His disciples.   Leaders today need to raise up others and not centre their ministry around themselves. The legacy of a spiritual leader is made up of those whom he or she has released and sent forth to proclaim Christ.  Following Jesus means living out the purpose for which He created each one.  By giving Simon the new name “Peter”, Jesus gave him the purpose of his existence, having a strong, rock-like faith, even though He knew Peter would deny Him later!  Such is the love that Jesus has for each one of us that He puts His confidence in us.  Thank You, Lord!

God Always Leads Us Triumphantly in Christ

 “I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: Upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: Who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭144‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David sang this song as he came to face Goliath the giant.  “My God, I will sing You a brand-new song! The harp inside my heart will make music to You! I will sing of You, the One Who gives victory to kings— the One Who rescues David, Your loving servant, from the fatal sword. Deliver me and save me from these dark powers who speak nothing but lies. Their words are pure deceit, and you can’t trust anything they say.”  David had such confidence in God because of his relationship with Him and He remembered God’s deliverance with a thankful heart and declared it.  In the new covenant, the Lord Jesus has told us to be of good cheer because He has conquered through the Cross the evil that besets us and now thanks be to God, He always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.  This is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all.  Thanks be to God, Who always gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s defeat every evil giant in our life.  Hallelujah!

Following Christ & Joining Him

 “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Mark recorded, “As He walked along, He found Levi, the son of Alphæus, sitting at a tax booth, collecting taxes. He approached him and said, “Come follow Me.”  Immediately he got up from his booth and began to follow Jesus.”  The name Levi means “joined”, “united” and Levi is the same person as Matthew, who wrote the Gospel bearing his name.  Alphæus means “changing”.  It is obvious that Matthew’s allegiance is changing from being a servant of Rome to being joined to Jesus as His future apostle.  Jesus came that we will change from being servants of sin to becoming children of God in the new life His death, burial and resurrection brought us and thus being joined to Him.  When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father.  Those who are joined to the Lord are one spirit with Him.  This was Matthew’s destiny and so it is of all who choose to follow Christ.  Amen!

Christ’s Will be Done

 “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: For thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭143‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David wrote this psalm when his son Absalom chased him after usurping his throne.  “Save me from all my enemies, for I hide myself in You. I just want to obey all You ask of me. So teach me, Lord, for You are my God. Your gracious Spirit is all I need, so lead me on good paths that are pleasing to You, my One and Only God! Lord, if You rescue me, it will bring You more glory, for You are true to Your promises. Bring me out of these troubles!”  We live in an age where the younger generation is impatient with the older generation and honour and care for parents and the elderly is a forgotten value.  However, it is as old as Scripture when David’s son Absalom was impatient and usurped his father’s throne.  Absalom’s end was quite sad and so it is with those who dishonour their parents and disregard their elderly.  David, nevertheless, turned to the LORD and trusted Him to rescue him.  Because of David’s faith in God, his prayer was answered.  In the new covenant and because of Christ’s finished work on the Cross, we have God’s faith in us to believe in all His promises.  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.  I live by Christ’s faith, not mine.  Amen!

Through Faith We have Resurrection & Holy Spirit Power

 “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Mark a spiritual son of Peter the apostle, wrote this Gospel under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  “The moment Jesus rose up out of the water, John saw the heavenly realm split open, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. At the same time, a voice spoke from heaven, saying: “You are My Son, My cherished One, and My greatest delight is in You!” Immediately after this He was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go into an uninhabited desert region.”  The Lord Jesus was buried in baptism, symbolically into death (the Jordan) so that He might minister not in the natural way of men, but in the way of resurrection by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The dove, an emblem of the Holy Spirit, pictures both meekness and purity.  The implication is that the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus and never left Him.  David had prophesied of the Messiah, ““I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.”  God is affirming it now as the Lord Jesus came up out of the waters of Jordan.  Then, the mighty Holy Spirit compelled the Lord Jesus to go into the desert wilderness for forty days, just as Moses, David, Elijah had done before - the great champions of Israel’s history.  The Lord Jesus is our example to face the trials and testings of our life in the resurrection by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen!